Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health Career, Salary and Skills
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $55,090 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 34,670. Wage data is published for 200 locations.
Occupation description
Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health, under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist. May collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing.
O*NET code
19-4042.00
Job zone
4
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
None
National salary and employment
Median annual
$55,090
Hourly median
$26.49
Employment
34,670
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Writing | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Speaking | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Active Listening | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.75 | 3.75 |
| Science | 3.38 | 3.38 |
| Monitoring | 3.38 | 3.75 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.25 | 3.50 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Active Learning | 3.12 | 3.12 |
Typical tasks
- Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.
- Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
- Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
- Discuss test results and analyses with customers.
- Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.
- Weigh, analyze, or measure collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants.
- Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.
- Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
Technology
- Autodesk Softdesk
- Adobe Acrobat
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Database software
- Email software
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- ESRI ArcInfo
- ESRI ArcPad
- ESRI ArcView
- ESRI software
- FishXing
- Flood modeling software
- Geomechanical design analysis GDA software
- Graphics software
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health Salary in CAMedian $61,220 · Employment 6,010
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health Salary in TXMedian $50,710 · Employment 3,350
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health Salary in FLMedian $48,840 · Employment 2,090
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health Salary in NYMedian $62,400 · Employment 1,960
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $62,850 · Employment 1,460
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health Salary in VAMedian $49,430 · Employment 1,450
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health Salary in New York, NYMedian $62,650 · Employment 1,440
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health Salary in PAMedian $60,650 · Employment 1,180
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health Salary in GAMedian $48,050 · Employment 1,110
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health Salary in NCMedian $51,630 · Employment 1,100
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health Salary in ILMedian $59,930 · Employment 980
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health Salary in Houston, TXMedian $49,170 · Employment 930
Related careers
- Nuclear EngineersNational median $133,970
- Biological TechniciansNational median $57,510
- HydrologistsNational median $96,600
- Hydrologic TechniciansNational median $64,790
- Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and InspectorsNational median $115,160
- Occupational Health and Safety SpecialistsNational median $90,150
- Chemical TechniciansNational median $60,390
- Industrial EcologistsNational median $82,220
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.